JLC SIHH 2011: A new Master Grande Tradition, Tourbillon.

Mar 01, 2011,04:38 AM
 



Do you remember the Chronometry Contest in 2009?

Some manufactures decided to attend this contest, like in the good old days, where every precision timer prepared, for his brand, his " champion ".

The watches sent to the Le Locle " Musée de L' Horlogerie " by JLC were the Master Tourbillon and the Gyrotourbillon 1, after being adjusted by a team led by the Technical Director, Mr Jean Claude Meylan.

The timing results of the competition show that the Master Tourbillon gained on average 0.13

seconds a day, or less than 47.5 seconds a year, and its rate did not vary more than 0.28

seconds a day.

It was the winner of the contest, very closely followed by the Gyrotourbillon 1.

We were in December 2009:



Like a reminder... that the the simple decorum of the Master Tourbillon hides, in reality, a true champion of accuracy.

The Master Tourbillon...





... Which was developed in a bigger case, with the Master Grand Tourbillon ( here, 175th Anniversary version ) ...



Without forgetting that, in 2010, JLC released another variation of the Master Tourbillon in a smaller case ( 39 mm ) with a " central round date ) :



... to finally adopt the Master Grande Tradition case.

Here, things are simple, as it is very close to the Master Grand Tourbillon:

Same size ( 43 mm ) and thickness ( 12, 95 mm ), same movement ( Cal 978 ), almost the same dial ( the " bigger " difference being that the index numbers at 9 and 3 were changed on the MGT Tourbillon for triangular indexes ).

The only thing which changes is the case, with its more curved and sweeter lugs.

Personally, I much prefer the Master Grande Tradition case for its lugs.

I find the watch gains in elegance.

The dial on the platinum version is grey, with rodhium plated indexes and hands, while the rose gold version receives a beige dial with gilt hour markers and hands.

The rose gold is not limited, while the platinum version is limited to 200 pieces.

Here are some pictures of the platinum:





And, to end, a view on the famous Cal 978:



Let's not forget that this Tourbillon, like the Master Tourbillon or the Master Grand Tourbillon, also offers a 2d time zone, a jumping date from 15 to 16 which you can adjust forward and backward, and a power reserve of 48 Hours.

Best to all.

Nicolas.


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It appears to me that the 39mm...

 
 By: watchme : March 1st, 2011-05:20
was the "test case" for the new Master Control series: 39mm, thinner bezel, ivory dial that extends all-the-way across the dial w/o any flange (for a visually larger look), etc. Question: beacuse it's Master Grande Tradition, does that mean that it has a ... 

Indeed, Dean .

 
 By: amanico : March 1st, 2011-23:44
The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that 39 mm is the perfect size for the Master Control line. There is a balance at this size which is a bit lost, when you grow in size, in the Master Control line. As for the Master Grande Tradition Tourbi... 

Photo not showing...

 
 By: fuigo : March 1st, 2011-06:22
For me, only the last photo shows up... ???

nice execution..

 
 By: ocwatching : March 1st, 2011-08:00
in a smaller and dressier (IMHO) case...great photos as always.. looking forward to seeing these at the Boutique...

The 39mm with the...

 
 By: Andy : March 1st, 2011-08:38
central date is my favourite by far. Gorgeous and in SS is a great buy for such outstanding quality. Yours, Andy.

I was puzzled when I saw the 39 mm central date Tourbillon.

 
 By: amanico : March 1st, 2011-23:47
But I like a lot the MGT line, too. Delicious dilemma! Best, my friend. Nicolas.

Nicolas, you really know…

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : March 1st, 2011-12:18
How to feed our dreams! The Platinum version for me, please! Best, my friend Blomman

I agree about the lugs, would be amazing in 39mm too.. :)

 
 By: Miranda : March 1st, 2011-12:20
Its a masterpiece whatever the size. thanks Nic, Best Imran

Its a big improvement

 
 By: ChristianDK : March 1st, 2011-13:45
Compared to the original. But would I prefer the 2010 version if only they would loose the lume on the hands? I think the shorter retrograde date and simpler dial looks better than the long but of course you loose the 2.timezone which is a very useful com... 

Well, a very few watches can compete with the Reverso Tourbillon.

 
 By: amanico : March 2nd, 2011-04:39
I have to admit that the Reverso Tourbillon is my favourite Tourbillon, all brands included, with the Gyro I or II. But we're playing in another financial league. These round Master Tourbillon, at least, are much more affordable. They're a nice compromise... 

Very nice and one other change

 
 By: kkwn98 : March 2nd, 2011-05:08
In addition to the changes you've already listed, another change between the Master Grande Tourbillon and the Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon is the tourbillon bridge design. The Master Grande Tourbillon's tourbillon bridge is similar to the Master Tou... 

Yes, you're absolutely correct on the different shape of the Tourbillon bridge.

 
 By: amanico : March 2nd, 2011-08:31
Which one do you like the most? The more discrete bridge on the MGT Tourbillons, or the larger bridge of the Master Tourbillons? Best, Nicolas.

I prefer the MGT's bridge

 
 By: kkwn98 : March 2nd, 2011-10:04
It's probably just me, but for some reason the bridge on the Master Tourbillon looks ever so slightly slanting to the left (I'm sure it isn't). It also looks a tad like the Vacheron Maltese Cross, but only half of it. Then again, for my own personal reaso... 

Nico, for some strange reason I keep having problems viewing your photo

 
 By: TdotBean : March 2nd, 2011-05:13
All I see is a frog which represent missing link. Here is what I get instead of your photo. I have been having this problem for a week now. I don't think is my computer problem. Maybe the technical department should look into this. Best Tyler...  

Strange bcause they all come out, without problem.

 
 By: amanico : March 2nd, 2011-05:21
Are you using firefox? It is strange, indeed. Will ask to the Tech Team if there is a special issue you should be aware of. Thanks. Nicolas.

Same problems :( Should I'll try Chrome? [nt]

 
 By: TdotBean : March 2nd, 2011-05:29
No message body

same here... le frog :(

 
 By: Echi : March 2nd, 2011-20:24
..viewing it via an office ibm laptop

Normal, if you're lurking when you're at the office.

 
 By: amanico : March 2nd, 2011-22:26
Many Companies installed a system to avoid looking at the pics on the net, for some rentability reasons... Best, and Crooa. The Frog.

I think more like my country have policy against nightcrawlers ...

 
 By: TdotBean : March 3rd, 2011-00:44
Typical suit case of my local law enforcement authority. You like? Have to keep going back and forth into your gallery to see photo of the watches. Damn those froggie foto ... ... Best Tyler...  

Are you crazy???

 
 By: amanico : March 3rd, 2011-00:55
Keep these " things " away from me, please! Best, Darth Vlador, Prince of the Carpathians.

LOL. You are a true sport. :))) [nt]

 
 By: TdotBean : March 3rd, 2011-00:59
No message body

Same problem with me Nicolas,

 
 By: E.S : March 2nd, 2011-20:25
For many of your posts only IMO, too bad cant see the picture, but I am happy reading the text only though, I have experience this problem many times, either connection here is very slow or you upload pics with different feature. thank you and enjoy readi... 

I generally upload " heavy pics " ...

 
 By: amanico : March 2nd, 2011-22:28
I mean 2, 3 or 4 Mo. So if you're connection is very slow, that may be an explanation. Thanks for your nice words, though. Best, Nicolas.

I face the same problem...

 
 By: Goh : March 4th, 2011-05:22
on both IE & Safari. Not just this but several other posts too. Goh

One thing I noticed is that the end of the date hand...

 
 By: marcelo : March 2nd, 2011-16:47
...of the Master Tourbillon is red, while the MGT Tourbillon's is blue

Eagle eye, Marcelo. :) [nt]

 
 By: amanico : March 2nd, 2011-22:31
No message body

:)

 
 By: marcelo : March 3rd, 2011-04:20

I like it Nicolas...And since

 
 By: =RWK= : March 3rd, 2011-01:41
you forgot me at Christmas and my birthday, you should have the WG varian sent right over to me! Thanks, for another great post, -- Richard.

Apropos of the Chronometry Contest...

 
 By: heartbreaker : March 3rd, 2011-05:40
Do you know which timepieces have attended the contest? And which was the results? Why the contest wasn't held in 2010? Who else makes similar, objective and scientific tests on the movements precision? My preference between these Master Tourbillon goes t... 

Do a search, you will find many posts abouth that event.

 
 By: amanico : March 3rd, 2011-05:53
If I remember well, there were some " big names " such as JLC, FPJ, K.V, and a few others, along with some ETA movements, which are terrific competitors when it comes to accuracy. Why it was not held in 2010, I have no idea. I will take other pics of the ... 

i like the grey dial most!!!

 
 By: FanFrancisco : March 3rd, 2011-08:17
... one of my dream tourbillons. stefan

Thanks for your input, Stefan. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : March 3rd, 2011-22:54
No message body This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-03-03 22:55:38

BTW,

 
 By: E.S : March 3rd, 2011-19:47
Again about the chronometry contest, do you know which won no 3 or 4 Nicolas? and about this MGT, written chronometry on 6, is it mean better regulated than before? thanks for the info Eddy

I don't remember well, because the Observatory didn't communicate on this matter.

 
 By: amanico : March 3rd, 2011-22:54
ETA and JOURNE ended well, from what I remember. My pics were taken on a Proto, I saw different pics of it, without the word " Chronometre " at 6. Best, Nicolas. This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-03-03 22:55:09

Here you go Top 4.

 
 By: TdotBean : March 4th, 2011-06:16
1. Jaeger LeCoultre Master Tourbillon Cal. 978. 909/1000 points. 2. Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Gyrotourbillon II, Cal. 174. 908 points. 3. Chopard LUC Tourbillon 16/1906. 906 points. 4. Tie-Swatch (Swatch Diaphane) and Tissot (Tissot Le Locle), ETA 2824-2. ... 

Thanks Tyler for the info

 
 By: E.S : March 4th, 2011-08:22
meaning Journe and KV below 820 points, too bad, KV is my favorite. is it because they need more time to regulate the watch, thanks again, HAGWE Eddy

Thanks for the reminder, Tyler.

 
 By: amanico : March 4th, 2011-14:00
So, Journe ended at the 5th place, if I'm correct, no? Best, Nicolas.

Are you sure about that?

 
 By: amanico : March 4th, 2011-23:24
If I remember well, Mr Jouren had an honorable place but was not happy... Best, Nicolas.

I'm pretty sure. Was it the Grand Prix L'horologie you remember?

 
 By: TdotBean : March 4th, 2011-23:39
Check your mail in a few hour. I'll send you something. Best Tyler

OK, thanks, Tyler.

 
 By: amanico : March 4th, 2011-23:45
But to me, he ended at a very honorable place, but was not happy with the result. Best, Nicolas.

Amazing graze and compelling accuracy - and beautiful as well..

 
 By: hs111 : March 4th, 2011-09:54
Really great to look at : - as I am a novice to tourbillons ,pretty much always passed it for being "beyond my reach", but recently at least was seeing The Master Tourbillon in platinum in the metal, and even on my wrist - - quite suggestive, I have to co... 

The " Round Tourbillons " from JLC are to be seen, hs.

 
 By: amanico : March 10th, 2011-22:20
The Tourbillon is an experience to be lived. Take your time, relax, and enjoy what you see, but this is an experience to be lived in real. As for your questions: 1/ The MGT only uses " noble " metals, such as Platinum or Gold. So, if you want a SS Tourbil... 

Your post makes me missed my Tourb Nicolas...

 
 By: Goh : March 10th, 2011-20:49
especially now that I am more accustomed to larger size watches. Just wish that JLC splits the "Jaeger-LeCoultre" and "Regulateur a Tourbillon" writing to give better dial symmetry. Maybe I could be back when JLC offers a black option for the steel model.... 

Nicolas, as usual, great write up!

 
 By: palmasea : March 11th, 2011-22:44
Since pictures speak a thousand words...I have a photo to share, even if I'm not a great photographer! The JLC tourbillon offers great value for the tourbillon world!! At any price, the JLC is really well thought out. It's mesmerizing! Two of my favorite ...  

Excellent picture, Palmasea!

 
 By: amanico : March 11th, 2011-23:02
This is a great idea to have taken a picture of the U.N Freak side by side with the Master Tourbillon. The concept watch, and the more conventional, but not less great Tourbillon. And you know that, each time I see a Freak, my heart beats faster. Thanks f...